First Photo Diary!

Just a quick post filled with Christmas photos..I love this time of year especially now you can enjoy the lights, music and present shopping.

Lately it seems that Christmas comes earlier and more extravagantly every year but now it's only a week away we can enjoy it guilt free.

The photos are from shopping trips to both Galway and Dublin where there are gorgeous decorations on show. I love coming home to a warm open fire at Christmas and look how pretty our tree is.

Had to include a picture of Bailey my beloved King Charles and a sneak peek of one of my early Christmas presents, a black Zara coat which I have been lusting after for weeks.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Christmas Wishlist

This wish list could be described as terribly decadent and extravagant but as it is a wish list I think that this description is acceptable and dare I say even suitable. To even have one of the featured items (Mulberry, need I say any more) would be amazing but there is always next year!!

I have been lusting after the Mulberry Willow since it featured in the Spring Summer '13 catwalk shows in London and Paris. It's pretty wow and practical too for the front of the bag can be removed to be used as a stand alone clutch. Hey presto, two bags for the prices of one! Does that justify the exorbitant price of over a thousand euro? Maybe not but I would definitely do my best to argue the point.

This bag is gorgeous regardless of the colour but the black does look pretty fabulous as demonstrated by Ms Moss below. The lucky lady was one of the first celebs to get the Willow, only days after it made its debut on the catwalk.

Some might be forgiven for thinking the Barbour jacket would be more at home on a farm paired with wellingtons than a capsule fashion piece.However it has proved its worth and versatility, teamed with skinnies and a printed scarf for chilly days or with your trusted denim shorts for a festival it really is an essential. From Princess Diana to Alexa Chung variations of the Barbour have been spotted on many the celebrity. The Beadnell jacket pictured here will last you season after season ensuring value for money.

Christmas brings parties and every girl wants to be the belle of the ball, this red number from Rachel Gilber is a show stopper and if you have a special event to attend over the festive season you are guaranteed to turn heads in this gown. WANT WANT WANT.

I'm a sucker for arm candy and am practically ashamed to admit how many watches I own, in my defence I accumulated them over a number of years and some aren't in fashion any more which means there is always room for more like this beautiful diamond encrusted mother of pearl Rolex. Pretty fabulous.

As mentioned at the start of the post this is a wishlist and a girl can but dream... I might do a more realistic post later on of Christmas purchases I can actually afford!

Style Crush - Eva Mendes

There are quite a number of reasons to be jealous of the beautiful Ms Mendes.. to start there is the fact that she is going out with one of Hollywood's hottest men Mr Ryan Gosling, then there is her sultry Latino looks and enviable acting career and last but certainly not least her amazing wardrobe.

Eva knows how to work it regardless of the time, day or night she upps it in the style stakes. This lady does not shy away from bright shades and given her colouring she can certainly carry it off. Quirky accessories such as this knitted royal blue hat might look ridiculous on someone else but paired with a timeless camel coat and of course Ryan on her arm the casual look is simply effortless for her.

Eva is a fan of printed dresses which are a great investment as they carry you from season to season, bare legged with sandals in summer, then slip on a pair of opaque tights and your favourite ankle boots for winter. Versatile yet stylish, every girl should have a couple of pieces like this in her wardrobe. It can even bring you straight from the office to after work drinks by adding a clutch bag, oversized blazer and some statement jewellery. Just remember less is more.

It's obvious Eva has perfected casual dressing by ensuring she has a number of style staples to hand and her shades are never far, adding a designer touch to any outfit. That said, this actress looks fabulous when dressed up too, be it a movie premiere, charity gala or just a night out. Sophisticated pencil skirts, jewel coloured dresses and fabrics such as lace and leather form the basis of Eva's wardrobe. I particularly love the white lace dress pictured in the middle, it is so simple yet so elegant and embodies Eva's style, feminine but with that little edge. Both guys and girls love her and it isn't too difficult to see why!

Too Excited!

London is one of my favourite cities at any time of year but it is especially magical at Christmas. All of the lights are turned on,decorations everywhere, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is in full swing and this year Harrods have a beautiful window display inspired by the princesses from Disney fairytales. A number of haute couture designers created stunning designs based on the characters including Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Ariel from the Little Mermaid and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

I'm a girly girl and have been described as a princess at times by my nearest and dearest, I love all things pretty and pink and have always had a soft spot for Disney, in particular the princesses.

Ariel from the Little Mermaid by Marchesa

Elie Saab used Sleeping Beauty for a muse while Marchesa chose Ariel from The Little Mermiad. Versace took on Cinderella, Valentino kept Belle romantic as ever and Jenny Packham created a Rapunzel inspired gown.Prints and feathers for Pochahontas by Roberto Cavalli and Oscar de la Renta gives Snow White a make over with a bejewlled bodice.

The dresses were unveiled on the 1st November and I'm sure they have caught the eye of many a shopper, the display coincides with the opening of a new pop up Disney boutique in Harrods complete with Princess Parlour. If at all possible make sure to visit because these stunning displays should not be missed.

Aurora from Sleeping Beauty by Elie Saab

                                                                  

Our fair city..

I had to travel up to the big shmoke for a meeting yesterday.. As always the Irish weather was unpredictable which meant choosing an appropriate outfit quite a difficult task. I got there in the end though and had quite an enjoyable day!

A trip to Dublin would not be complete without a browse around the shops and I picked up a couple of bits in Forever 21, post to follow. I also saw fabulous Kurt Geiger heels but alas my budget would not stretch that far!

Then I took the popular 46a out to Dun Laoghiare for my meeting at IMAGE magazine.  Dun Laoghaire is so pretty with various boats and fishing vessels docked in the harbour, I fell in love with the picturesque town. Charming walkways and benches dotted here and there made it very easy to indulge my inner romantic and daydream a little!

The town also has a cosmopolitan feel with numerous restaurants bars and cafes to delight in. While I love the city itself I thought Dun Laoghaire had a relaxed vibe while still keeping up with its big brother.

Here are a couple of pictures I took, as a friend of mine quipped I was an "up for the dayer". Perhaps a little bit of town mouse country mouse syndrome going on if I'm honest... I do have a yearning to move up to the capital so let's hope this dream is realised in the not too distant future!

Shopping with a Conscience!

        I'm a little bit of a bracelet/bangle/jewellery junkie so I couldn't wait to blog about the newest addition to my hoard, a friendship bracelet collaboration between Links of London and the charity FEED.

I have been lusting after this for over a month now and I gave in today, while I was meant to be on the hunt for my sisters birthday present. I got that too in the end but the lure of the bracelet finally proved too much to resist.

My conscience is eased by the fact that each bracelet symbolises something very important, the fight against world hunger.

The bracelet I chose stands for 50 school meals for children in areas of war and conflict. It is made of grey and metallic silver thread and the dove is sterling silver.

There are a number of different styles including blue thread with a teardrop symbolising 500 days of clean drinking water for one child and fuchsia thread fronting a heart standing for 50 school meals in areas with high HIV/AIDS rates.
         
So there you have it, I have found out after many years of shopping it is possible to make a guilt free purchase and do something worthwhile when indulging in my favourite hobby. The fact they look good is only a bonus :)

Latest Loves

I have been neglecting my blog of late but things have just been so busy what with work placement, compiling my special report and of course the dreaded job hunt. Anyway here's a quick post detailing a couple of my latest purchases. First up is this khaki and leather mix jacket, I got it in River Island priced at €73 but staff discount meant I got a little money off.. yay! It's currently in Topshop too, much the same but the sleeves are full length and its more expensive. I love it though and think it will be a staple piece for this winter! I like that you can wear it casually but you can also dress it up with heels and accessories.

I also picked these little beauties up in Penney's/Primark , love love love! They are limited edition so I was lucky to get them at all considering how quickly things sell out in this particular store. They are fab though and will dress upa simple black dress, a snip at only €22.